behind the redesign

Behind the Redesign

It’s been a long time coming. As someone who doesn’t particularly love change, this redesign for Chick Lit Plus has been in the making for over three years. But, the time has finally come. So I give you…the new Chick Lit Plus by Samantha March. Books. Beauty. Boss.

When I first designed CLP in 2009, it started as the idea to create a book blog, but I knew I wanted it to be more than that. I have so many passions, and I thought – why do I have to limit my blog to just one? So the chick lit came from my love of books, especially those in the chick lit genre. The “plus” was added on to signify it was more than a book blog – I talked about fitness, beauty, and even celebrities back in the day. And I loved it! Within the first year, the book side of CLP was really taking off. I was being completely overwhelmed by the amount of review requests coming in, and was having the amazing opportunities to interview authors such as Jackie Collins and Emily Giffin. I slowly started to focus more on books, especially after 2011 when I published my debut novel, DESTINED TO FAIL. I would continue to dabble in the “plus” but these posts were becoming less and less frequent. And while I was insanely excited where my little blog was taking me – creating CLP Blog Tours, offering freelance editing and now marketing services to authors, launching my own publishing company and publishing four titles myself – I was always a little frustrated that I was becoming “just” a book blog. That wasn’t my original intention, and I wanted to get back to where I had originally wanted to be.

In 2013 I attempted Youtube. I had no confidence in what I was doing, the videos were all coming out blurry, I couldn’t figure out editing, and was too nervous to share these videos or ask for help. After about five videos, I deleted the channel. I made a promise to myself that I would come back to it … in time. I continued to focus on the book side of my career, telling myself I was happy enough with where I was.

But who wants to be happy enough? I was finally able to find a way to merge my passions by once again jumping on Youtube with a new determination in the summer of 2015, and also starting an Instagram account. While I initially had the thought to have both of these feature books and dabble in the beauty side, it quickly became obvious that my beauty videos and posts were garnering much more attention on these two particular platforms than the books were. And instead of fighting it, I accepted it. And finally, I feel like my love for books and my love for beauty are being equally heard. It only took me seven years to get it figured out.

So while CLP will continue to share book reviews, author features, and more, it will also know showcase my own books, and my author thoughts. I’m deleting my SamanthaMarch.com website and blog because…well, no one really goes there anyway. There has been a huge shift in the blogging world. More people are going to social media platforms such as Youtube, Instagram, Periscope, and Snapchat to keep up with people. Both my blogs have seen considerable and steady declines in traffic for years. Instead of paying for a domain name and hosting on both, I’m merging the two. Chick Lit Plus by Samantha March. You’ll get it all here. While you may occasionally see a beauty-focused blog post, CLP will stay mostly book focused with the content, but I will have links, videos, and photos to the beauty side on this website. I’m finally determined to have it all.

I wanted to give CLP a totally new look with this redesign. I wanted sleek, classic, and feminine. I didn’t want to lose the pink. But I didn’t want the clutter of the old CLP. When I would log on to my website I felt overwhelmed. I’m sure several people had to feel that way as well. I want the new CLP to be eye-catching. A place that makes you curious. And a place where you can see you can have it all. For too many years I was scared to place emphasis on my love of my makeup and to share photos of myself. I’ve been told I’m too pretty to be an author. I’ve been questioned if I write my own material because surely someone who cares about lipstick can’t write full sentences. I’ve been told if I want to be taken seriously as a business woman I can’t also create makeup tutorials. And you know what I say to that? You’re wrong. I am who I am, and there is absolutely nothing wrong about that.

I’m excited to see what the future holds. I’ve never felt more fulfilled that I do now. I finally can say I’m doing everything that I’ve always wanted to do. I’m not holding myself back any longer. And I hope I can encourage others to do the same. Be yourself. Don’t let anyone else try to make you think differently. You create your own happiness, not them. I’m disappointed that it took me this long to get it figured out, but one more cliché – better late than never. I hope you enjoy the new look and feel of Chick Lit Plus. I’m excited to unveil her to you. And even more is coming. A new service will be added shortly, one that I’ve been working on for three years and that I get asked for constantly. I’m putting the finishing touches on that, so stay tuned for even more!

And lastly, thank you for the continued support. My world changed completely with the very small idea to start a blog, and I have welcomed so many new friendships because of this. It’s overwhelming, it’s humbling, and it makes me count my blessings every single day. I can’t wait to see how this journey continues.

I was just thinking how impressed I am with everything you’ve accomplished at such a young age – even at an older age, it’s still so amazing. You are an inspiration. I love the new look and will continue to follow everything you do and all that you create. XOXO.

Kay

August 8, 2016 / 11:59 am

You reached your goal–the site IS sleek, classic, and feminine! Love your emphasis on the contents–the books, the beauty–the boss lady– rather than the me-me-me of so many others. Would love to see more about the boss part, too … secrets you’ve learned in running your own business. Bonne chance!